Illa’s Obituary Illa Jeane (Craig) Gage, age 98 and a lifelong resident of the Elwood and Aroma community, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie after a long, well-lived life. She was born July 24, 1920 in Elwood, the daughter of Orpha and Dorothy (Johnson) Hester. She graduated in 1939 from Frankton High School.
She married Gilbert “Gib” Craig on April 12, 1941, and they shared 30 years of marriage until his passing in 1971. Illa Jeanne was a homemaker and farm wife almost all of her life, and loved caring for her family and helping on the family farm. She later married Robert Hanlin, and they shared a brief marriage together until his passing.
Illa Jeanne was a faithful member of the Aroma United Methodist Church where she was currently the oldest living member. As a member of the church, she was active in the United Methodist Women; treasurer of the Woman’s Society; and active on numerous dinner committees and fundraisers at the church. Illa Jeanne enjoyed bowling and bowled on leagues at Wells Lanes until she was in her early 90’s.
In 2005, she married Bruce Gage, and they shared several years together until his passing in 2011. She and Bruce enjoyed spending time at the Elwood Elks Lodge socializing and dining with many good friends. Illa Jeanne was known for being friendly to everyone she met, and rarely knew a stranger.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Illa Jeanne’s family legacy includes her son, Lindon (wife Ann) Craig of Muncie; 4 step-sons, Tim Hanlin of Elwood, Tom (wife Sheila) Hanlin, Roger Gage of Cincinnati, OH, and Randall (wife Patricia) Gage of Cold Spring, KY; 2 half-brothers, Dallas (wife Niomi) Hester of Lapel and Dennis (wife Shirley) Hester of Lebanon; 4 grandchildren, Alex Craig, Nicole (husband Anthony) Morris, Jarrod Craig, and Jana Craig; 3 great-grandchildren, Cole Morris, Ryan Morris, and Kaleigh Morris; several step-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sue Craig of Elwood; and several nieces and nephews. Illa Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Gilbert “Gib” Craig; 2nd husband, Robert Hanlin; 3rd husband, Bruce Gage; son, Lee Craig; grandparents, Elbert and Dessa Johnson; and half-brother, Lowell Hester.
A funeral service honoring Illa Jeanne’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with her extended family member, Todd Hovermale, officiating. Burial will follow in the Aroma Cemetery in Aroma. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the funeral on Wednesday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Aroma United Methodist Church through the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at copherfeslermay.com.
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